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Tag: creativity

Posted
January 21, 2016
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Creative Nuggets
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Creative Nugget#6: Get Offline

I love to entertain my kids. I love introducing them to new ideas and new games. It actually hurts when I see them bored, but according to education research, kids need boredom to make way for creativity. My wife, April alerted me to the research, and I’ve found the topic very interesting (See the BBC article). It makes sense. When we’re constantly entertained, the requirement for creativity is significantly diminished. If you think about it, the most entertaining things in life are the things that require the least amount of thought. Just picture yourself engrossed in a good movie. You’re sprawled out on the couch with crumbs on your shirt, and your mouth half way open. It’s one of the least productive states you can be in.

Of course, enjoying art and culture can inspire us to create, but let’s take the lesson and bring it into our own work times. For me, brainstorming has to be done offline. My most intense ideation simply cannot be done in a browser window – there are too many distractions. My brain bounces around like a pinball. I will try to focus, but I know that my budgeting tool, the weather channel, or my facebook notifications are just a click away, so I take a quick detour. It might not take long, but they certainly add up. Many detours in a single session detract from your ability to go deep into the creative centers of your brain. That’s why I recommend getting offline. Not just getting out of your browser window, but actually closing your laptop, or turning off your phone. Be brave! Pull out a piece of blank paper and a Bic Crystal (my personal favorite). Put your headphones on. Get lost in your thoughts. It will allow you to follow avenues of thought further than you thought possible, and to access parts of your brain you didn’t know existed.

Posted
January 7, 2016
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Creative Titans
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Gregg Palazzolo: Creative Titan

According to Gregg Palazzolo, texture is the most important principle in design. Whereas many would assume that texture means pattern or repetition, Gregg feels otherwise. True texture comes when you draw from a rich and diverse pool of inspiration. Like his grandparents who left Italy and embarked on a journey to a new land, Gregg has learned to enhance new endeavors by drawing on the texture that exists around him.

“The art of listening has become a secret weapon. That’s number one. Number two? Look at everything.”

Gregg’s talent was obvious at a young age. He recalls being entered in a specialty arts program at the age of three. His story, however, is not one of fate or immaculate genius; it’s a story about grit. Gregg is not one to presume that natural ability (though significant in his case) is enough to make one great. It’s grit (not just talent) that caused him to open his own commercial art business while still in art school. It’s grit that jumpstarted his success as a designer. It was grit that allowed Gregg to become great.

“Fail, flail, do all of the above. It adds texture to everything. That’s the forgotten design element. It’s not just a pattern. It’s the grit– the nuance that gets at you. It’s the human element.”

One might ask if grit is distributed fairly to everyone, and that’s a fair question. The immense value Gregg Palazzolo finds and extracts from his own heritage is undeniable. The stories passed down from his Italian father and Polish mother are rich with detail and fit for creative inspiration. The tales of winemakers, cheese producers, and goat shepherds who emigrated in search of a better life serve as the most marvelous food for thought. Nevertheless, it requires a certain strength of spirit to take the texture you’ve been handed and apply it to something productive. That’s what Gregg has done.

“I hire people who are kind, good, and interesting. And interesting tops the list.”

Above and beyond being the owner and founder of Palazzolo Design, Gregg has managed to find endeavors that are worthy of the texture he applies to them. He produced a book containing tens of thousands of photographic portraits for ArtPrize, he helped found a distillery, and he launched a food magazine, but not one of these things is really his end goal. Some people might be satisfied with reaching a level of success, but Gregg is in it for the texture. And texture is not just motivational. It’s not just the fuel that helps you accomplish a task. For Gregg, the texture itself is the reward. Like pages in a book, experiences in life are not simply a means to an end; they are an end unto themselves. Let’s do whatever we can to be like Gregg, and embrace the texture around us.

“Too many are missing out on the experience by finding the answer too quickly.”

Gregg Palazzolo is a revered creative citizen and the founder of Palazzolo Design in Ada, Michigan.

Posted
November 9, 2015
Category
Hot Off The Press
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What’s Your City’s Font? [Great Lakes Region]

Introducing, the Type City Poster Project.

It’s a design initiative by Geographic Designer with the goal of designing a typographic poster design for major and notable cities across North America. The first batch of posters features cities from the Great Lakes region. At the bottom of each poster, the chosen typeface and Pantone color choices are listed. What’s the font chosen for your city? What are the colors? Do you agree?

All posters are available for purchase at the Geographic Designer shop on Etsy.

Posted
November 2, 2015
Category
Free Ideas
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Free Idea: Shadow University

Everybody knows the college system is broken. High school graduates are pressured to attend college without a clear understanding of what career they’d like to pursue. This blind attendance costs students a lot of time and even more money, leaving them confused and buried in student loans at the age of 22. Here’s an idea that would help to prevent some of the inefficiencies in the college system.

I call it Shadow University. Essentially, it’s an intensive job discovery program that helps high school graduates decide on a career path. Before embarking on college, students could attend Shadow University for one year and engage in various job-shadowing scenarios to figure out what they want to do. I imagine there being three streams of training: the first is Exploration. People who have no clue what they’re good at could choose three broadly different job shadow arrangements to participate in, and there would also be a series of quizzes and personality tests to help you figure out what you’re good at. The Exploration phase would last for one semester. Once you figure out an area or a field that you’re interested in, you would enter the Discovery phase which is the next semester. In this phase, you’d be paired with three new job shadow scenarios that are more specific to the field you want to enter. Lastly, I envision a third stream, which is called Curiosity. The Curiosity stream is for individuals who may already be working professionals, but are curious about other careers. They might be interested in pursuing a second or third career, or perhaps they’ve always dreamed of trying something different but have never had the chance. I think this could pioneer a new career-tourism industry.

The school would have a catalog of helpful professionals in various careers that would be available, and could provide a secondary income for working professionals who choose to participate. For students, something like Shadow University would eliminate the need to take Gen-eds until you “figure it out”, and it would help students realize that not every degree leads to a viable job opportunity. I’m not saying it would change the world or even fix the college system, but I do think it would save these poor students a lot of time and money.

Posted
October 20, 2015
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Creative Titans
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Tom Crimp: Creative Titan

How do you do what you do? And when was the last time you asked yourself this question? Most of us don’t ask it often enough. Instead, we allow our first attempt to become our standard, and so our method is derived by mere chance. Often there’s no revision stage, no edits made. Tom Crimp is the exception – he loves asking this question. Tom is the founder of AUXILIARY Advertising & Design in Rockford, Michigan, and he’s become successful in his field by asking this one question: how?

“There’s this inherent belief that you must stick to your ideals or you’re not being true to your craft, but I have found that by approaching this business from the standpoint of a problem solver, we will ultimately get there, we’ll feel good about it, and doing so makes our work better.”

Tom went to school at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. There he studied to be a designer. After working at the Jager Group for seven years, he had the urge to start his own agency. He looked at the traditional business model that advertising agencies use, and wondered if there was a better way. So he set out to build a more sustainable model that was less volatile in nature, relationship-based and need-focused. AUXILIARY Advertising & Design was founded in 2005, and is now a thriving agency with roughly thirty employees. Tom and his group seek first to know their clients, then to understand their needs, and finally to meet those needs in creative ways. For AUXILIARY, advertising and design is not just about doing creative work; it’s about doing creative work in a creative way.

“I see the little things in my day-to-day life. I notice patterns and environments, and I store them away as a reminder to do things differently.”

Internally, Tom strives to meet the needs of his employees, and to refrain from adding unnecessary corporate structure. Tom sincerely believes that by taking care of the person, the person will take care of the work. It sounds basic, but it’s a pretty radical thought in the business world. The advertising industry is renowned for holding on to what has worked in the past (some agencies have death grip on the Mad Men lifestyle), but Tom is a true believer in doing what’s good for everyone– not just best for himself. It’s Tom’s empathetic nature that causes him to pursue a better way, and continue revising. Creatives would be wise to take a step back and do what Tom does – ask yourself that one all-important question: how?

“Don’t be short-sighted. Find people who go about their work in a good-hearted, ethical way. Don’t work somewhere that takes shortcuts, and don’t just be lured by dollars. Find people who care about more than just themselves.”

Tom Crimp lives and works in Rockford, Michigan. He is an Art Director by trade and the founder of AUXILIARY Advertising and Design.

Posted
September 22, 2015
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Creative Nuggets
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Creative Nugget #5: Work Generously

Ideas are abundant. They’re everywhere, no one should be racing to grab them. It only requires a trained eye to identify their abundance. To prove my claim, I recently started a blog series called “Free Ideas”, where I simply offer innovative ideas for free to my readers. Creative professionals should be so skilled at finding original ideas that it becomes second nature to them. Once the skill is developed, the creative person must determine what their attitude toward this resource will be. They can choose to access this goldmine of ideas for the benefit of their patrons, or they can choose to place limitations on themselves and the people for whom they work.

The choice isn’t a matter of career, or of commerce; it’s a matter of heart. Like with any resource, it’s easy to become greedy, but it’s the ones who master the art of generosity who truly prosper. If, as creative people, we perceive our creativity as a gift given to us, then it’s easier for us to offer it up to others without restriction. I’m not saying that you should let people take advantage of you, and I’m not proposing you do this free of charge. I am suggesting that willingness to access new ideas for your partners and clients can only result in genuine pleasure and trust in you as a professional.

I’ve worked with a lot of creatives in my career. Some of them haven’t discovered the goldmine yet. They simply don’t believe ideas are out there, and until they discover it, they won’t be generous with the few ideas they have. Other creatives can tap the source, but choose not to. They prefer to set the bar low, work minimally, and present the bare minimum to their partners. Some of these people have reasons why they don’t dig deeper for new ideas, and some of them just have excuses. Regardless of the reason, I would simply remind these individuals that creativity comes the heart, and the act of giving is more fulfilling than you can even imagine.

Posted
September 15, 2015
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Creative Titans
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Gwen O’Brien: Creative Titan

If you’ve ever thought it’s all been done before or if you think that tradition speaks volumes about value, you’ve probably never met Gwen O’Brien. Gwen is not a mere rock or pillar in the design community; she’s more like a flower that reaches for innovation and new ideas. In her career, her life and her philosophy, she has established original thinking as her top priority.

I’m always looking for something new. Something different, and how we can solve problems in new ways.

Growing up, Gwen’s mother had an interior design studio, and so she learned the design process at a young age. That foundation was inexpressibly valuable as it helped earn her a full-ride scholarship to Kendall College of Art and Design. She studied graphic design, art, and interior design, and later she was trained in computer programming. Gwen wasn’t just creatively inclined, she actually took the steps to verse herself in the skills and the tools that are required to express creativity in productive ways.

I want to be able to design anything. I like to dabble in it all. It’s challenging at times, but I like that.

For the last decade or so, Gwen has been working for herself under the name Plenty (formerly Plenty Creative). She started as a freelancer and grew up from there into an award-winning design agency. Her company is well known in West Michigan for producing striking visuals, remaining on the cutting edge of good design and having fun along the way. Recently, Plenty merged with Fairly Painless Advertising out of Holland, Michigan. This marks a new season for Gwen and her creative partners. It’s a bold move, since this type of merger is not common in West Michigan.

I’m all for pushing the envelope and doing something different. I don’t want to do something that’s been done.

Taking a cue from the fashion world, Gwen places a high importance on the spark of a new idea. When she finds inspiration, she puts all her effort and resources towards nurturing the fresh thought. Not only does Gwen celebrate what’s current, but she sees genuine value where many others would not. In the end, the work speaks for itself, and it proves that a single spark (if protected and seen as important) can change the way people think about businesses, initiatives, and even life itself.

Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Experiment, and get a lot of experience. Make mistakes. Keep pushing it. This is the time. Do something crazy! If not you, then who?

Gwen O’Brien is the founder of Plenty Creative,
the AIGA President’s Council Chair,
and a creative powerhouse in West Michigan.

Posted
September 4, 2015
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Creative Titans
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David Rosenberg: Creative Titan

Creativity can affect people in many different ways. For some, it guides them, for others it inspires them. For David Rosenberg, it drives him. He allows his passion for advertising and creativity to fuel his work, his interactions, and his approach to the industry as a whole.

Everything comes with hard work. But if you love something as much as I love to write, you can really succeed in that.

David is the Chief Creative Officer and a partner at an advertising agency in Toronto, Ontario called Bensimon Byrne. He’s been in the industry for 28 years. During his second year at the University of Toronto, he came to the revelation that he was destined for copywriting. His classmates were on track to become doctors, dentists and lawyers, but he had his sights on advertising. With a hand drawn portfolio and a lot of determination, David visited agencies and departments stores around the city, as he tried to find a job. Eventually, he landed a gig – writing coupons and fliers for Woolco-Woolworth.

This burning desire kept building on itself. I knew I needed to do this, to break into this industry.

After paying his dues at his first career stop, David landed a position at a small advertising agency, and worked his way up from there. He recalled one pivotal experience along the way was pitching for the IKEA account when he worked for Geoffrey Roche. It was an intense experience, which showed him that passion must be applied with diligence and determination.

Geoff really worked me hard. We pitched our asses off, and won the IKEA account.

After connecting with Jack Bensimon and Peter Byrne, David’s career evolved. He became Creative Director, then CCO. Part of his role at Bensimon Byrne is to champion good ideas. When there’s something he loves, he gives credit where it’s due, and creates an environment for those ideas to thrive. David’s energy and passion brings vibrant life to the clients and employees at Bensimon Byrne, an agency that’s known for valuing good character and good talent in equal measure.

I’m pretty passionate about an idea when I think it’s moving in the right direction, and I hope I inspire people to feed off that passion and explore the idea to it’s full extent.

If permitted, passion can drive people to stress or frustration, but that’s not the case with David. He channels his passion to support others and encourage them. One of the things he enjoys most is watching his children explore their own creative outlets as they grow.

We’ve never pushed our kids. We’ve guided them, but we’ve let them explore their own passions. That’s why it’s astonishing to me that they’re as passionate as they are about their own creative talents.

In professional sports, the fans play an important role. They cheer and scream, and champion the team. That’s David. He’s that exuberant, passionate fan that cheers for creativity in himself, the brands he works for, and the people he leads.

David Rosenberg lives in Toronto, Canada.
He has a supportive wife, three creative kids, and a winning smile.

Posted
August 27, 2015
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Creative Nuggets
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Creative Nugget #4: Turn The Other Cheek

Creatives are used to getting punched. We present our work to bosses and clients, and they give their opinions. Sometimes the opinions aren’t favorable, and that’s putting it mildly. Bracing yourself for impact is the nature of creative business.

Most critics (perhaps justifiably) forget there are people behind the work. Each piece of creative is lush with a layer of emotion that sits just below the surface. Creative people put their hearts into their work, and it’s difficult for us to separate our own feelings, hopes and opinions. Regardless of whether or not it’s healthy, the point stands–creatives are invested in their work. Ideas, headlines, and photos are the offspring of sensitive souls.

Unfortunately, reality doesn’t negate necessity. In other words, creatives need to learn how to deal with their critics despite their feelings. Conventional wisdom would tell creatives to grow thick skin, but my advice is the opposite. I find that thick skin leads to callousness. It’s true in life, as in the metaphor. Instead of getting tougher, I suggest becoming more gracious. Whenever I’m in a situation where my work is being dismembered, my first instinct is to defend it; it’s my baby after all. If, however, you can manage to turn the other cheek and respond with grace, I truly think you’ll be better off. Graciousness comes across positively in two key ways: first, it will maintain a spirit of collaboration and comradery, and secondly, your critics will relate with your ability to think rationally (less emotionally) about the work.

Posted
August 20, 2015
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Creative Titans
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Yang Kim: Creative Titan

For Yang Kim, design is not a job or an industry; it’s a choice. It’s something that you can choose to take with you on your journey through life. Whether you’re ordering a meal, choosing where to live, or raising kids– design can come with you. Yang has chosen to bring the principles of design into her life, and the result is a celebration of purposeful expression.

“I don’t focus so much on style. I focus on what’s appropriate.”

Yang’s parents wanted her to attend a more traditionally reputable college, rather than an art school. She agreed, and went to Carnegie Melon in Pennsylvania, but she used her knack for problem-solving to determine her own course in that environment. She loved design, so that’s what she chose.

“In art, you have a one-to-one conversation with your viewer. In design, you present an analytical solution to the masses.”

After college, she accepted a position at Herman Miller, and used her time to learn as an apprentice to Steve Frykholm, a world-renowned designer, who was one of the creative directors there. It wasn’t a walk in the park. There were hard, long hours. None of this phased Yang like it did others. She set her sights on the thing she wanted. She chose the place, the time, and the teacher. Her choice propelled her into a flourishing career and a fair degree of fame in the industry.

“[Steve] was relentless, and he asked for a lot.”

When she was ready to move on, Yang had another choice: should I stay or should I go? She was fully able to land a killer position in a major city, but chose to start her own business with her husband, Kevin Budelmann, and a colleague from Herman Miller instead. That business has transformed into the successful firm, Peopledesign. The result of this decision wasn’t just financial success, it was a better pace and quality of life.

“When I started in the industry, I learned to apply a design filter to everything.”

Yang enjoys a vibrant family life with her husband and three children. They learn a lot from the kids, and that’s no mistake. It’s a constant choice to embrace the fun, and the beautiful abstraction of life. Yang interviews young creatives quite often, and one piece of advice she consistently offers is to make your work what you want it to be. Well, she’s certainly taken her own advice, and it seems to be working pretty well for her.

“It’s up to you to make magic happen. It’s up to you to make something great.”

Yang Kim is a partner at Peopledesign in Grand Rapids, MI
She has three charming children, and a hero of a husband.

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